3-in-1: Print, Mill and Mold
Four guys from a small manufacturing company kickstarted their own project when they took it upon themselves to develop a machine they've always wanted. A machine that can perform 3D printing, CNC milling and injection molding all in one multi-machining tool.
It is an interesting machining development in the midst of all the technological innovations that we've seen during the past year, especially when it comes to additive manufacturing. That is why I thought I'd share it with you.
This 3-in-1 machine is called the TRiBOT. According to Luminar Products, a small manufacturing company located outside of Boise, Idaho, it is a retrofitted bench top manual milling machine designed to take advantage of its initial industrial strength and add practical automated functions for specific manufacturing applications.
Inventors say this machine fills the void that currently exists between light-duty 3D printers and heavier duty machining and injection molding equipment. This desktop machine will allow small manufacturers to grow their businesses by taking ideas from prototype to production without investing in three different machines at more than three times the cost.
Check out their story here.